With the aim to alert citizens in its fight against terrorism, Hyderabad police is all gearing up to launch a unique text message service.

A senior police officer reported, "The mobile service providers (both GSM and CDMA) have, in principle, agreed to send free SMSes to their subscribers as part of the proposed anti-terror alerts initiative."

It has been learnt that within a few days, the Hyderabad City Police Commissioner B Prasada Rao will have a meeting with the mobile service providers in the city on this initiative which will be launched shortly.

R S Praveen Kumar, DCP (Detective department) reported, "SMS has tremendous reach. With people now having cell phones on the move, you don't need a TV or a radio to receive an anti-terror alert."

He further added, "As part of the initiative, one SMS every week or fortnight will be sent, free of cost, to cell phone users by their respective mobile service providers enabling them to be alert against terror acts."

Mr. Kumar also informed that the Police Department has prepared the content for the anti-terror alerts and the mobile service providers will help in the initiative as part of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Basically, the public would be alerted via this initiative to be careful in and around their surroundings and also require them to keep a watch on persons moving suspiciously, abandoned bags, unattended vehicles parked in busy areas for long hours among others